This might sound ignorant of me, but I've never really considered interpolation in a mix until now. While I've noticed the sound difference in the past, I always assumed it boiled down to a quality issue or side effect of the ripped files vs. playing off the soundchip itself.
Thanks for your advice on this lazygecko. I'm pretty sure you've helped me out in the past too.

The tracks are definitely brighter with Cubic Interpolation vs Gaussian Interpolation. I keep flipping back and forth between the two settings. It reminds me about the debate of whether scan lines contribute to older games; They technically provide an inferior picture, but the pixel art was often designed with the limitation in mind. While the Cubic Interpolation provides a more clarified sound, I have a feeling some of the blemishes were supposed to be hidden.
To go into specifics, I'm using JCOM SPC to isolate the individual channels. I'm trying to get the most authentic sound out of the tracks. So you would suggest 32000Hz with Gaussian Interpolation for something like Super Metroid?

When listening to SNES-SPC files, what settings do you prefer? If I'm not mistaken, the original SPC700 soundchip on the SNES was (usually) limited to a sample rate of 32000Hz, and utilized a gaussian interpolation technique. However, most SPC players allow you to select higher sample rates and implement different types of interpolation (None, Linear, Cubic, Gaussian). At higher sample rates, is the SPC file simply being upscaled, or is the data actually preserved? Do you prefer trying to emulate the Super Nintendo's limitations, or prefer the higher sample rates and different (if any) interpolation techniques?

Waves is having some insane deals right now: http://www.waves.com/content.aspx?id=351&ref=nl Three of their plug-ins that are usually $100 are only $9 at the moment. Anyone have any experience with them?

I love this mix. Planet Wisp is one of my favourite tracks from Sonic Colours. You have good production values, its original, and very catchy. A few things could do with brightening (mainly the piano as stated, but the overall mix might benefit from a little brightening). If you implement those changes, you'll have a stellar track on your hand. Going to play the track again...

I highly recommend uploading your work to something other than YouTube, due to their compression algorithm. Parts I'm criticizing might simply be due to YouTube, and not your mixing. It sounds good so far. As mentioned above, the bass does become a little too obnoxious at times, and the temp does jump a little too much near the end. My other problem with the track is it feels a little empty. I think this is more an issue with the source track. It's very ambient. You might wish to include elements from the other chozo tracks, or even one of the boss themes (like
).Regardless, I'll try and cite my issues with the track itself. The build up to 1:15 sounds nice, if a little slow. The bass, drums, pad, and square lead leads a little more to be desired though. Plus, they lack a dynamic range. Otherwise, keep up the good work!

This is a very unconventional remix. The SFX bring a nice touch to the overall mix. The synthesizers sound... odd. I think they work for the track, but it does give an eery tone. A good example is the high-pitched pad/noise around 2:30. The guitar and drums sound very MIDI like. I'm not there's much you can do about the guitar - It kind of fits in a way. I think my issue with the percussion is the lack of dynamic range and the snare drum. Unfortunately, percussion is my weakness, so I'm not too sure what to recommend. I suppose my gripe with the track is that there are so many elements that shouldn't work, yet they do in a very off-putting way. And it kind of works.

I really like what's going on here. It gives of a floating vibe, like the original track. After a while, I think the track feels a little bare, dare I say, repetitive. I think if the pad could be slightly changed up it might help things. Alternatively, an additional pad or effects might be able to spice things up. Sorry if my advice isn't very helpful, I'm a little tired at the moment. Perhaps someone else could provide some proper feedback?

I love this track. The atmosphere is really interesting. All the quirky frequencies littered throughout the track just give it an original flair, and works well with the source material. Only criticism is the piano sounds a little bare at times. Just a random idea, but a little bit of a high-pass filter on the piano up to 1:15 might work really well. Otherwise, Amphibious pretty much summed up my suggestions. Great work though. I can totally see this being accepted by OverClocked ReMix right now, especially if you were to fix those minor issues (if you wish to call them that).

I like the style you've got here, it's very groovy. There's a few minor mixing problems around the 2:30 mark. I'm not sure if it's clipping, or taps from one of the instruments. It doesn't sound very pleasant though. Otherwise, I like this piece. It's very upbeat, as the original was too. Good work.

I've recently challenged myself to arrange several different kinds of remixes. I've finished two piano solos, and an electronica chill-out piece (the former of which have been submitted and accepted by the OverClocked ReMix Judging Panel). One particular genre of music I would like to mix is trance (or, to be more specific, something in the style of bLiNd's work). I already have the MIDI framework from working on the track previously (
).I'm mostly having trouble with the percussion. I don't know what to look for in a kick, snare, clap, hi-hat, etc. I definitely have the software to do it now (Komplete Ultimate 8 + Omnisphere + Logic Studio). Does anyone have any advice in what library I should use, presets, instruments, or general settings? Also, any suggestions in what to look for in particular instruments too would be useful. I'm a little overwhelmed by all of the options. Thank you for your time.

The mix has a nice atmosphere so far. Kind of like a Mass Effect/Space Mountain feeling to it. You've got quite a bit of panning. It's good for the style you're going for, but I think there are times where it sounds odd. For example, the lead bells being panned left, the bass being panned right... that can work, but you need more layers to fill in the music. The mix is feeling rather hollow overall. As mentioned, the synthesizer pads aren't really filling up the space. The bells are a good texture (especially around the 1:00 mark). I can see the reasoning behind the "MIDI" complaints. Certain instruments seem out of place, such as the strings at 2:15 as a lead instrument. It might work as something else, or with a different set of instruments, but right now it doesn't. There's a lack of dynamicness to the velocity of instruments (the end and introduction sound identical). You might want to increase the overall volume slightly. The levels on my audio interface don't touch the yellow, never mind the red. The percussion also lacks punch (eg at 1:27). Try experimenting with different samples. I feel the whole mix could use a little spice up with the transition/ambient FX throughout the mix. The bass drum sounds nice, but comes a little repetitive over time. I think the FX can make or break tracks like these. You should try adding... well, I'm forgetting what it's called right now. White-noise transition? Someone help me out here. Your mix actually represents what my original goal for my SR388 mix. I decided to go with something more upbeat in the end, but I think keeping it chill will make it its own track. I wouldn't give up hope just yet. I believe the deadline was extended by a month. I think the Mass Effect series has some great examples of chill music. You should definitely check out the track Vigil and perhaps Uncharted Worlds too. Vigil has an example of a white noise transition around 0:19. Oh, and check out
while you're at it. The overall atmosphere works really well for the track (MIDI brass, the electric-keyboard-lead-synth, the transition sound at 0:05 that plays consistently through the mix... it's one of my favourite childhood tracks, and I take inspiration from it for most of my work).Best of luck!